Collapsible covered storage container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible storage container having a body of flexible material, a top frame defining an opening to the body&#39;s interior, and a top cover of flexible material, suitable for use in confined spaces and for stacking. A removable support panel of rigid material can be inserted into the body interior. A support bar made of rigid material can be attached to the interior of the top frame such that a portion of each of the lateral plates of the support panel is secured between the support bar and the sides of the storage container body. Preferably, a grip is attached to a top seam of the container to facilitate moving the storage container.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/128,307, filed May 20, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a storage container and, more particularly, to a collapsible storage container constructed of flexible material including a cover, adapted for use in organizing and storing personal and other items.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of conventional storage bins have been constructed to meet modem storage and organizing needs.

Storage bins constructed primarily of rigid material such as wood, cardboard, plastic or metal are known. While such rigid material provides stability, structural strength and longevity, such bins are not collapsible and therefore cannot be folded flat or otherwise condensed in size for compact storage or transport. Other storage bins are constructed of flexible material with reinforcing rods. But such bins also are not collapsible. Further, such reinforcing rods can wear through the flexible material to damage the bin material.

Collapsible storage bins constructed solely of flexible material are known, but have a flimsy structure that makes such bins awkward to fill and use. Further, such a flimsy structure can be visually unattractive while today's market seeks more stylish storage systems. Other collapsible storage bins are constructed of flexible material with supplemental reinforcing panels. Such reinforcing panels are not arranged, however, to adequately support or facilitate the stacking of multiple bins or other objects on such storage bins.

Further, storage bins that do not to include a way to reliably grip the bin can be difficult to carry, particularly where the sides of the bin are rigid and the contents of the bin are heavy. Other storage bins include handles attached to the bin or constructed from cut-out holes in the sides of the bin. Handles protrude from the sides or tops of the bin and therefore can become snagged on other objects or can be ripped from the bin. Cut-out holes create openings into the interior of the bin and therefore fail to completely enclose or protect the contents of the bin. Poorly reinforced holes also can lead to tears in the bin material. Further, such handles are not easily accessible when the bin is located in a drawer or on a shelf with little side or overhead clearance.

Some storage bins do not include a top covering and therefore do not fully enclose or protect the contents of the bin from foreign debris or from spillage. Other storage bins include some form of lid or top. Such lids are difficult if not impossible to lift or remove from a bin located in another enclosure such as a partly-opened drawer or on a shelf with little overhead clearance. Therefore, such a bin must be relocated to view—or to add or remove—its contents. Further, where such a lid is a separate component from the bin itself, the lid can easily be misplaced or damaged from repeated handling. Other storage bins include a means for viewing the interior contents of the bin through the side or top of the bin, such as transparent or translucent rigid material, e.g., acrylic or glass, and are therefore such bins are not collapsible.

Liners and dividers used in drawers or other enclosures are known, but are flimsy or are permanently attached to their enclosure. Therefore, such liners and dividers are not well suited for use independent of their enclosures. Further, such liners and dividers also do not include a top covering.

Although each of these designs provides a useful storage bin, what is really needed is a covered storage container that is both amply sturdy to, e.g., support other objects placed on top of it, while being collapsible. What also is needed is the ability to view the contents without the need to open or move the storage container. What also is needed is the ability to easily grab or lift a storage container without the use of bulky or compromising handles. Such a storage container can address the increasing demand for practical, reliable and stylish storage systems.

None of the above storage bins, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the above mentioned unmet storage needs and overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages of the related art by providing a sturdy, collapsible covered storage container that provides the ability to conveniently view the contents without the need to move the storage container. The present invention also provides the ability to easily tilt, pull or lift a storage container without the use of handles.

In particular, the invention accomplishes this by providing, in one aspect, a collapsible storage container including a flexible body with a framed top opening, an integrated flexible cover, and a support panel system.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a collapsible storage container further including a window of flexible material.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a collapsible storage container further including reinforcement bridges.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a collapsible storage container further including a grip that assists in handling the container.

The present invention provides an effective and improved storage container that will result in the improved storage of items that are small or difficult to organize such as undergarments, arts and crafts supplies, nursery items, tools, electronic equipment parts, etc. The flexible top allows container contents to be accessed when the container is, e.g., in a partly opened dresser drawer or other difficult to access location. The grip eliminates the need for bulky handles or compromising handle holes while enabling the container to be easily pulled, titled or lifted from its location. The framed top opening provides a clean, neat overhead appearance, supports the flexible top, and prevents spills of small objects when the container is tilted. The window allows for observation of the container contents. The support panel system provides support for the container to prevent sagging when erect, while maintaining the collapsibility of the container. The bridges provide extra support for the top face of the container, while maintaining the collapsibility of the container. The bridges also keep the support panels in place. The opening framework, support panels and bridges also facilitate the stacking of containers or other items of reasonable weight on the top of the container.

The inventive structural design of the storage container also allows for a storage container that has a popular trapezoidal, trough-like cross-section while still being covered as well as collapsible.

Use of this invention can alleviate difficulties originating from bulky or flimsy storage bins because this invention is well adapted for use individually or in groups in snug furnishings such as dresser drawers, storage trunks, closets or workbench shelving.

Additional features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating the cover partially raised from the top frame.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating the collapse of the body with the pivoting of the lateral plates towards the base plate of the support panel.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container in a collapsed condition.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating an orientation of the support panel and support bars.

FIG. 6. is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating an arrangement of lining pieces on face of the top frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With attention to FIG. 1, an isometric view shows an erected condition of a presently preferred collapsible covered storage container 1 of the invention. FIG. 4 depicts a side sectional view of an erected condition of storage container 1.

Storage container 1 is comprised of a body 10, a cover 40 and a support panel 50.

Body 10 is formed from a plurality of members of flexible material. Such flexible materials range from woven textiles such as cloth to non-woven materials such as leather or vinyl. Such flexible materials also may be formed from a combination of materials such as leather with a cloth backing. Other useful combinations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Body 10 has a base 11, two lateral sides 12, a front side 14, a back side 15, a top seam 16, two end seams 18, and a top frame 20. Base 11 is substantially rectangular in shape. Preferably, each side 12, 14, 15 is substantially rectangular in shape and permanently joined to the two adjacent sides along each of its vertical edges 21 to form a closed ring of flexible material. Each side 12, 14, 15 also is permanently attached to base 11 along its bottom edge 22. Top frame 20 is permanently attached to top edges 23 of sides 12, 14, 15. Preferably, body 10 is of such size and shape as to fit in the average dresser drawer, bookcase or closet shelving.

The union between base 11, sides 12, 14, 15, and top frame 20 forms integral body 10. Attachment of any or all of sides 12, 14, 15 with base 11 is achieved either by using one unitary piece of material to form the parts, or by attaching separate pieces of material using, for example, stitching, riveting, adhesive or thermal bonding in a manner known to those skilled in the art. This joins adjacent members without restricting movement along edges 21, 22, 23. Preferably, sides 12 and base 11 are formed from one unitary piece of material, and sides 14, 15 are attached to sides 12 and base 11 using stitching or other means to form exterior binding seams along end seams 18 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Interior binding seams also may be used. Lateral sides 12 are situated opposite from each other within body 10. Preferably, lateral sides 12 are substantially vertical, i.e. perpendicular or orthogonal, to base 12, and substantially equivalent in size and shape. Front side 14 and back side 15 are likewise situated opposite from each other within body 10, substantially vertical to base 11 and substantially equivalent in size and shape. Front side 14 and back side 15 also may be substantially trapezoidal in shape such that the width between top edges 23 of lateral sides 12 is greater than the width between bottom edges 22 of lateral sides 12, and thereby making body 10 trough-like in shape.

Preferably, at least one of front side 14 and back side 15 is formed partly or entirely from flexible see-through material. Such flexible see-through material includes any clear, tinted, transparent, translucent or screened material, such as polyvinyl chloride, sheer fabric or mesh, that allows objects to be at least generally observed or identified through said material while being supple enough to fold and stretch back to substantially its original shape as body 10 is erected and collapsed.

Top frame 20 is permanently attached to sides 12, 14, 15 along top edge 23 also using, for example, stitching, rivets, adhesive or thermal bonding in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Top frame 20 is comprised of a face 24 of flexible material. Face 24 has a front transverse 25 and two side transverses 26 surrounding an opening to body 10, said opening being rectangular or of other geometric shape adequate to allow access to the interior of body 10. Preferably, face 24 also comprises a back transverse 27.

In one embodiment, face 24 also comprises one or more lining pieces 28 of rigid or semi-rigid material. Lining pieces 28 also may include a covering 29 of flexible material. Preferably, a single lining piece 28 substantially equivalent in size and shape to face 24 is attached to the interior side of face 24. However, as illustrated in FIG. 6, multiple lining pieces 28 may be arranged on the interior or exterior side of face 24.

Top frame 20 allows other items of reasonable weight to be stacked on storage container 1 without the items falling or collapsing into body 10. Moreover, top frame 20 prevents spillage of items contained within body 10 when storage container 1 is, for example, slightly tilted.

Preferably, top frame 20 is attached to sides 12, 14, 15 using stitching to form exterior binding seams along top seam 16 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. A grip seam 30 can be attached to top seam 16, preferably along top seam 23 of back side 15. Grip seam 30 may be comprised of flexible material, or other material such as plastic or metal fitted to top seam 16. Grip seam 30 facilitates the pulling, tilting or lifting of storage container 1 without the need for handles.

Cover 40 includes a flap 42 of flexible material having a front edge 43 and a back edge 44, and an attachment piece 46. Attachment piece 46 is connected to the back edge 44 of flap 42 and also connected to top seam 16 of body 10 along back side 15. Preferably, attachment piece 46 also connects to back transverse 27 of face 24 of top frame 20. Flap 42 is of sufficient size and shape to overlap top frame 20 and rest thereon for support when cover 40 is in a closed position on body 10. Preferably, flap 42 is made partly or entirely of see-through flexible material to allow objects to be at least generally observed or identified through said material, while being supple enough to be completely or partially peeled back from top frame 20 to observe or access the contents of body 10. The ability to partially peel back flap 42 from top frame 20 is particularly desirable where storage container 1 is located in a confined space such as a drawer or a shelf with little overhead clearance.

A tab 48 also may be attached at or near front edge 43 of cover 40 in a position to facilitate pulling and lowering cover 40 from and to top frame 20 of storage container 1. Tab 48 may be, for example, a small loop, strap, knob or ring. Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, support panel 50 comprises a base plate 51 of rigid material and two lateral plates 52 of rigid material. Lateral plates 52 are located at opposing edges of base plate 51 and are substantially equivalent in size and shape. Lateral plates 52 are connected to base plate 51 by joints 53 allowing lateral plates 52 to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with base plate 51. Support panel 50 can be inserted to fit snuggly in the interior of body 10. Preferably, base plate 51 and lateral plates 52 are of a height and width equal to or slightly less than the dimensions of the corresponding base 11 or sides 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when body 10 is erected, lateral plates 52 of support panel 50 maintain sides 12 in an upright orientation and provides reinforcement to body 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, pivoting lateral plates 52 towards base plate 51, or removing support panel 50 entirely from body 10, allows sides 12, 14, 15 to fold inward, thereby causing storage container 1 to collapse into a substantially flat configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably, the width of base plate 51 and of base 11 between lateral plates 52 and between sides 12 respectively is greater than the height of each lateral plate 52 and sides 12 to facilitate the complete collapse of storage container 1. Base plate 51 also may be permanently attached to base 11 of body 10 by adhesive, stitching, or any other suitable means known to those skilled in the art.

In addition to or instead of lateral plates 52, end plates 54 may be located at opposing edges of base plate 51 to maintain sides 14, 15 in an upright orientation. End plates 54 are similarly connected to base plate 51 by joints 53 allowing end plates 54 to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with base plate 51. End plates 54 are preferably of a height and width equal to or slightly less than the dimensions of sides 14, 15.

Alternatively, support panel 50 may comprise only lateral plates 52 of rigid material located at opposite sides of body 10 and permanently attached thereto at top seam 16, allowing lateral plates 52 to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with top frame 20. Lateral plates 52 are preferably of a height and width slightly less than the dimensions of sides 12. In this embodiment, lateral plates 52 are rotated upwards to touch top frame 20 to collapse storage container 1.

Preferably, base plate 51, lateral plates 52 and end plates 54 are made from cardboard, but wood, particle board, plastic, sheet metal or other thin, rigid material can be used. Support panel 50 also is preferably embedded in a cover 55 of flexible material.

In one embodiment, one or more stays 56 may be used to removably secure lateral plates 52 and end plates 54 of support panel 50 to sides 12, 14, 15 of body 10. Such stays 56 may be, for example, elastic bands attached to the interior of sides 12, 14, 15 of body 10 so as to allow lateral plates 52 and end plates 54 to be secured between the stays 56 and sides 12, 14, 15. Stays 56 also may be, for example, decouplable fasteners such as hook-and-loop attachments or snaps, attached to the interior of sides 12, 14, 15 of body 10 and to lateral plates 52 and end plates 54. Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment not shown, fasteners 58 may be used to detachably connect front edge 43 of cover 40 to front transverse 25 of top frame 20. Such fasteners 58 may be, for example, decouplable fasteners such as hook-and-loop attachments, ties, clips, buckles, snaps or buttons and loops attached to front edge 43 and to front transverse 25. Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one support bar 60 made of rigid material may be attached to the interior of top frame 20 so that a portion of each of lateral plates 52 of support panel 50 snugly fits in a space between the distal ends of support bar 60 and the lateral sides 12 of body 10. Alternatively, two support bars 60 may be attached to the interior of top frame 20 along side transverses 26 so that the upper edge of each of lateral plates 52 fits snugly between the lengths of support bars 60 and lateral sides 12. Support bar 60 also provides additional strength to top frame 20.

The present invention has a wide variety of uses and applications in different environments. The diagrams depicted herein are merely examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Moreover, the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 

1. A storage container comprising: a. a body of flexible material comprising a plurality of members attached to define an interior, said members including: i. a base, ii. two lateral sides, iii. a front side, iv. a back side, V. a top seam, vi. two end seams, and vii. a top frame; b. a cover attached to the body; and c. a support panel.
 2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein at least one of the lateral front end and the lateral back end is formed in whole or in part of flexible see-through material.
 3. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the top frame comprises a face of flexible material having a front transverse and two side transverses defining an opening to the body.
 4. The storage container of claim 3 wherein the face further comprises a back transverse.
 5. The storage container of claim 3 wherein the face further comprises one or more lining pieces of rigid or semi-rigid material.
 6. The storage container of claim 5 wherein the one or more lining pieces are covered with flexible material.
 7. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising at least one grip seam, each of said grip seams being attached to a side of the top seam of the storage container body.
 8. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a flap of flexible material having a front edge and a back edge, and an attachment piece connected to the back edge of the flap, wherein the attachment piece is attached to the back side of the top edge of the body, and wherein the flap partially overlaps the top frame opening to the storage container interior.
 9. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the support panel comprises a base plate of rigid material and two lateral plates of rigid material located at opposing edges of the base plate, wherein the lateral plates are connected to the base plate by joints allowing the lateral plates to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with the base plate, and wherein the support panel can be inserted to fit snuggly in the interior of the body of the storage container, and wherein lowering the lateral plates to the base plate allows the storage container to be collapsed.
 10. The storage container of claim 9 wherein the base plate portion of the support panel is permanently affixed to the base of the interior of the body of the storage container.
 11. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the support panel comprises a base plate of rigid material, two lateral plates of rigid material located at opposing side edges of the base plate and at least one end plate of rigid material located at opposing end edges of the base plate; wherein the base plate, the lateral plates and the at least one end plate are connected to the base plate by joints connecting the lateral plates and the end plates to the base plate and allowing the lateral plates and the end plates to be pivotally positioned at any angle with the base plate; wherein the support panel can be inserted to fit snuggly in the interior of the body of the storage container; and wherein lowering the lateral plates and end plates to the base plate allows the storage container to be collapsed.
 12. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the support panel comprises two lateral plates of rigid material permanently attached at opposing top edges of the top frame; wherein the lateral plates can be pivotally positioned at any angle with the top frame; and wherein raising the lateral plates to the top face allows the storage container to be collapsed.
 13. The storage container of claim 9 further comprising one or more stays, wherein said stays removably secure the lateral plates of the support panel to the sides of the body of the storage container.
 14. The storage container of claim 13 wherein the stays are elastic bands diagonally attached to the interior of the lateral sides of the body of the storage container.
 15. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising a fastener, wherein said fastener detachably connects the cover to the top frame.
 16. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising at least one support bar of rigid material attached to the interior of the top frame so that a portion of each of the lateral plates of the support panel is receivable in a space between the distal ends of the support bar and the lateral sides of the body of the storage container.
 17. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising two support bars of rigid material latitudinally attached to the interior of the top frame.
 18. The storage container of claim 3 further comprising two support bars of rigid material latitudinally attached to the interior of the top frame along the side transverses so that a portion of each of the lateral plates of the support panel is receivable in a space between the lengths of the support bars and the lateral sides of the body of the storage container.
 19. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the cover has a tab in a position to facilitate pulling and lowering the cover from and to the top frame of the body of the storage container.
 20. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the body of the storage container has a trapezoidal cross-section.
 21. A storage container comprising: a. a body comprising a plurality of members attached to define an interior, said members including: i. a base and two lateral sides formed from one unitary piece of flexible material, wherein the width of the base between the two lateral sides is equal to or greater than the height of the lateral sides, ii. a front side formed of flexible see-through material, iii. a back side formed of flexible material, iv. a top seam, v. two end seams, and vi. a top frame further comprising a face of flexible material having a front transverse, a back transverse and two side transverses defining an opening to the body, and a lining piece of semi-rigid material attached to the interior of the face, wherein two support bars of rigid material are attached to the backing of the top frame so that a portion of each of the lateral plates of the support panel is receivable in a space between the distal ends of the support bar and the lateral sides of the body of the storage container; b. a grip seam attached to the back side of the top seam of the storage container body; c. a cover of flexible see-through material attached to the body and partially overlapping the top frame opening to the body; and d. a support panel comprising a base plate of rigid material and two lateral plates of rigid material located at opposing sides of the base plate, the base plate and the lateral plates disposed in a flexible material connecting the lateral plates to the base plate and forming flexible joints allowing the lateral plates to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with the base plate, and wherein the support panel can be inserted to fit snuggly in the interior of the body of the storage container, and wherein lowering the lateral plates and end plates to the base plate allows the storage container to be collapsed.
 22. A storage container comprising: a. a body of flexible material comprising a plurality of members attached to define an interior, said members including: i. a base, ii. two lateral sides, iii. a front side, iv. a back side, and v. a top frame; b. a cover attached to the body; and c. a support panel. 